Google Nexus 5 delayed by government shutdown?

posted by Alan F. / Oct 15, 2013, 8:24 PM

October 15th was rumored to be the day that both the Google Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 would be unveiled, but with only hours left in the day, that doesn't appear to be the case. Still, the rumor network remains open for business and among the juiciest of rumors is one that says that in addition to the Nexus 5, we will soon see an updated version of the Google Nexus 4 with LTE.

Another rumor out of Romania had the 16GB Nexus 5 priced at $399 and the 32GB model at $449.The same report said that the prices are this steep because of the addition of the LTE flavored Nexus 4, which will be priced at $299 and $349 for 16GB and 32GB variants respectively. We recently had received a tip a few weeks ago telling us that pricing for the Nexus 5 would start at $299 for 16GB and be raised $100 more for the 32GB unit.

Another rumor making the rounds on Tuesday suggests that the government shutdown has caused a delay in obtaining all of the regulatory approvals needed to launch the Nexus 5. There is also some speculation that the government shutdown has prevented Google from getting the stamp of approval on its smartwatch, which it wants to show off alongside the Nexus 5. Or perhaps Google is waiting for the end of the month to unveil its new device(s). Considering that Apple is rumored to be launching its two new tablets at the end of October, we're sure that there is nothing that would put a wider smile on the faces of those in Mountain View than taking some newspaper space away from Apple during one of the latter's heavily followed product launches.

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Posts: 2253; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

Just a thought, wouldn't Google have handed out some type of invitation to PA or at least other tech sites like Engadget about what specific day they were going to have an announcement? Also, wasn't last year's event around October 29th or something like that? I would think that the dates would be around the same time each year. So, I am guessing that they are planning for a late October announcement.

Posts: 1917; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:02 PM 0

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

If Google wasn't able to get all of the regulatory approval for the device an event would be pointless because the phone couldn't be released.
If Google did get all the approval, sure it would have sent out invitations for an event, assuming it planned to hold an event at all. Remember that Superstorm Sandy cancelled the Nexus 4 announcement last year, but that device still sold well enough to break Google Play. That's why there is now the rumor that maybe Google isn't planning to hold an event at all.

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:05 PM 1

Posts: 2253; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I doubt that their device wasn't approved unless they made last minute changes within the last two weeks and had to have the device get another approval. They sent in their device at the beginning of September and it only takes a few days for a device to get an FCC approval, especially from a company as large as Google it would've been on a higher priority list (even though that's technically not fair, it happens).
Also, if that were the case, then Apple would have had to cancel their event as well considering that they are most likely also introducing an LTE version of their iPad.
A lot of tech blogs have pointed to the end of October as being the release date for the next Nexus device. Again, it falls in line with previous announcements over the years.
You mentioned how Hurricane Sandy cancelled the announcement event for the Nexus 4, but Google still sent out invitations for said event. So, you should have known at least a week before October 15th that they probably weren't going to announce the next Nexus device because you didn't receive an invitation telling you about an October 15th event.

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 12:21 AM 0

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

The delay may have been for the LTE Nexus 4, which we haven't seen pass through the FCC.
I mention Sandy because it proved that maybe Google doesn't need to do a big announcement for a Nexus phone and incremental Android update.

Posts: 311; Member since: May 11, 2010

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 2:44 PM 0

Posts: 260; Member since: May 02, 2012

so question. frequently tech sites mention that samsung or apple or google or whoever schedule press events to steal thunder from each other, or whatever. that makes sense. by scheduling the launch of the nexus 5 closer to the launch of the ipad 5, they would be stealing "newspaper space" from apple. but the nexus 5 is kind of a big deal as far as phones go. by scheduling it closer to the ipad 5 launch, won't they also be putting apple in a position to technically be taking "newspaper space" from the nexus 5 as well?

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 8:37 PM 0

Posts: 2253; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

That's why it's smarter for Google to go AFTER Apple instead of before, because otherwise you risk your device only getting a weeks worth of attention before they move on to the other company's device.

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:05 PM 1

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

That would make sense for someone like Samsung, but the Nexus 5 is in no way competing with the iPhone. The Nexus is a niche device for developers, hackers, and general nerds. It isn't a casual consumer device. It doesn't matter when Google announces it, because the majority of those who are going to buy a Nexus already know it and wouldn't be swayed by some Apple attention.

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 11:24 PM 0

Posts: 2253; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

If that were true then Google wouldn't have spent money trying to advertise the Nexus 4 during big television events such as the Grammy's. While they aren't trying to outsell the iPhone, they are indeed trying to compete with the iPhone on some level. If the Nexus devices were just meant for developers and "hackers" then they wouldn't have spent so much time trying to market it to the general public.

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 12:29 AM 0

Posts: 37; Member since: Dec 06, 2012

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 2:27 AM 0

Posts: 308; Member since: Sep 14, 2013

I am ready to pick up the LG G2 but I want to see the new Nexus first and then I’ll decide.
It sounds crazy but they will probably wait until end of this month possibly on Halloween.
KitKat ?
KitKat bars are a well-known Halloween candy :)

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:43 PM 1

Will do! I have the same thoughts as you, hoping for the nexus to come with a comparable battery life to the G2. I am currently using the first Galaxy S Epic 4G so looks like we're on similar boats lol.

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:31 PM 0

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

posted on Oct 15, 2013, 9:33 PM 0

Posts: 29; Member since: Jul 22, 2012

Google must learn, come on, Nexus 4 is/was a good phone but the problem again is the selling, stock gone in seconds and amazon, ebay with phones overpriced, that's bull***t man, come on Google leran from that!

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 2:48 AM 0

Posts: 126; Member since: Aug 23, 2013

posted on Oct 16, 2013, 1:33 AM 0

Posts: 33; Member since: Aug 01, 2013

Its funny. Phone Arena won't be trusting their tipsters anymore. They are feeling so ashamed that they have come up with a dedicated article ( Full of lousy facts) on why there was no event on 15th October. While all the tech sites are trying to hide their failure, the folks at Mountain View must be laughing out loud. Good Job Google or should i say US Government. lol

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